In one corner of Blossom Stadium, a group of teenagers cheered. A few feet away, another group of teenagers cried.

One game. One outcome. Two different reactions. And if there is any truth that there is a fine line between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, then the margin between Reagan and Lee might be just as slim. It showed Saturday.

The Rattlers advanced to the UIL Class 6A state tournament for the third time and the first since 2004 when they lost to Coppell. Reagan defeated Houston Clear Lake for the 2002 state title.

Alief Elsik, Irving High and Coppell will join Reagan at state. Semifinals pairings will be announced on Sunday.

“It feels amazing,” Salgado said. “It’s just a great group. Finally, all the hard work has paid off. Hopefully, we can win state. That’s our main goal.”

In an all-North East ISD final that assured an area boys team in the UIL’s highest classification would advance to state, Lee (17-6-4) and Reagan (18-1-7) played to a stalemate for more than three-quarters of the contest, each probing for that one moment.

The Rattlers capitalized on the opportunity when Gonzalez found space on the left side of the penalty area and headed in Salgado’s corner kick.

“When I went in the air, I thought, ‘This is my play, this is my goal,’” Gonzalez said after recording his second goal this season. “It’s a great feeling.”

The mood wasn’t as joyous for Lee. Some players sobbed. A few more had to be console by coaches and teammates.

In the regional final for the first time since 1999, the Volunteers were unable to breakthrough in the first half with a strong wind at their backs. But they were still in contention before Reagan struck for the game-winner.

“We thought a set piece is what it was going to come down to and they did a good job putting the ball in on the back post and the kid capitalized on it,” said Lee coach David Rogers, who fell just shy of leading a fourth school to the state tournament. “They ran the play to perfection. Really the difference in the game was one play. There’s a reason why (the Rattlers) have (only) one loss. They’re a great team.”

Even with its success this season, Reagan coach Gilbert Villarreal knew how difficult it was to defeat the same team twice in the same season. Lee and Reagan played to a scoreless draw on Feb. 6 and the Rattlers won 2-0 on March 2.

“It’s never an easy game when you play Lee,” Villarreal said. “They’re extremely well coached and we knew that it was going to be extremely tough. They’ve been playing a lot better since we played them in district. Just happy to get the win.”